Are you searching for the best camping mosquito repellent? Not sure which model to pick up? Then you NEED to see the list below.
Top 3 Best Mosquito Repellents for Hiking and Camping
Top 3 Best Bug Repellents When Camping
Summer is coming, and with the onset of heat comes the appearance of an infectious insect: mosquitoes. You may be confused about what’s the best bug repellent for the campsite, backpacking, and hiking.
In this post, I will recommend a list of top-rated best camping mosquito repellents for your consideration.
Review: Best Mosquito Repellent for Camping, Backpacking, Hiking, Campsite.
If you are asking what’s the best mosquito repellent? Here is the list of best bug repellents to buy on Amazon.
Great top best camping mosquito repellent must check 3 criteria:
- Recommended by CDC
- Registered at EPA
- Reliable brand product
#1. Repel HG-94108 100 Insect Repellent, Pump Spray, 4-Fluid Ounce
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If you need the strongest best camping bug repellent available and you’re not allergic to DEET or you don’t hate DEET, it will be the right one.
- Pros: long-lasting, effective repellent against varieties of mosquitoes, ticks, and bugs.
- Cons: unpleasant smell, greasy, not good with nail polish, damaged plastic, and synthetic material, can’t be used for children.
- Suitable for: high density of bugs and insect areas; people who outdoor are life and work; long outdoor trips; frequent hikers, hunters, campers.
If you are heading to areas with humid tropical weather and severe insect condition, Repel 100 Insect Repellent is a very economical and effective solution for you.
A small amount of this best camping bug spray will go a long way and keep you bite-free for quite a time (half a day).
#2. Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin
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A friendlier version of DEET with less intense protection. This is one of the best bug sprays for camping. Extra effective against mosquitos and flies. Famous for its use with kids. No harm to synthetic materials.
- Pros: most effective on mosquitoes; gear safe, non-greasy, nicer scent, can be used for children
- Cons: no sweat-resistant formula
- Suitable for: people with DEET allergies, hiking/backpacking, beach/ riverside camping trips.
The advantages:
- Less smell (DEET odor gives some people a headache);
- Friendlier with skin, no more oily feeling or burning sensation with someone who has sensitive skin.
- Doesn’t damage plastic and synthetic coating
It is quite popular among fishermen since it can prevent water-borne bugs, and doesn’t damage your gear. It’s also very highly recommended by Consumer Reports.
However, if you are in areas with high bug density, DEET will always be better protection. I say “bug”, if you just need the best bug repellent reviews for camping or flies, I can’t say whether DEET beats Picaridin.
One funny thing about this product is that, if you miss someplace while covering your skin with insect repellent, with DEET, it will be okay;
But with Picaridin Sawyer Premium, you will see some bites the day after. So, you need to cover most of your exposed skin with a thicker layer than you do with DEET.
#3. REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus best camping insect repellent, Pump Spray, 4-Ounce
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If you’re a team of nature-based products, you have sensitive skin and your main goal is protection against mosquitos, this is the best camping bug spray for you.
- Pros: eco-friendly, compatible with most types of skin, natural scent, can be used on clothes.
- Cons: short-lasting, no children under 3
- Suitable for: people with DEET/ Picaridin allergies, family camping trips, and tropical areas.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only plant-based active ingredient recommended by CDC for mosquito repellent. And because the product is plant-based with a high concentration of plant oil, it is suitable for most types of skin.
Not just the skin you can apply it on, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus can be used on clothes since it doesn’t damage synthetic fabrics or materials.
If you’re not a team of DEET or allergic to DEET, this Lemon Eucalyptus repellent is good for you.
#4. Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS IR3535® Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion – SPF 30 Gentle Breeze, 4 oz
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A nice best insect repellent camping to use for your kids which also takes care of your and your kids’ skin with moisturizer and sunblock features.
This is not recommended if you go to a high bug density area which deems to be insect-borne and disease-prone.
- Pros: like lotion repellent, kid-friendly, moisturize, sunblock, repel wasps and bees, can be used for children
- Cons: short-lasting.
- Suitable for: beach trips, family trips, countryside camping, insect season at home
Just like Lemon Eucalyptus oil, is classified as biopesticide repellents (derived from or are synthetic versions of natural materials) by EPA, hence IR3535 repellent is human-friendly.
5 points that other repellents above can’t beat Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus:
- Keep skin moisturized (Aloe Vera and vitamin E plays as a moisturizer)
- Sunblock (SPF 30)
- Non-greasy, light, and smooth on the skin
- Can be used for kids and animals
- Nice light smell
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So, if you want clothing insect repellent and you’re considering products that are not permethrin, reconsider the option. It can be used for kids.
- Pros: as effective as DEET in use for clothing and outdoor gear, long-lasting, odorless, and can be used for children. This is the best bug spray repellent for camping, backpacking, hiking, and campsite.
- Cons: toxic with cats
- Suitable for: all outdoor activities especially hunting (as you always wear clothes!)
I first tried Permethrin product because of one piece of information I came across: “Permethrin was first registered at EPA for use as clothing repellent by the military in 1990”. After a while, I chose it.
I must say, they made a fantastic clothing insect repellent out of Permethrin which is not only safe and effective but also:
Leaves no stain on clothes: If there’s a stain on your clothes when using clothing insect repellent, there’s no way that product will sell.
Odorless after 2 hours dry (4 with humid weather): it smells at first, but after 2-3 hours left drying, no smell.
Compatible with almost all fabrics even the fragile one silk, wool, cotton, and outdoor furniture: I used almost anything when camping such as shoes, sleeping bags, tent
Lasts up to 6 weeks and 6 washing: with me, it generally lasts 4 washing. Maybe I choose hard-to-wash and dry cycles while doing laundry.
Hence, it depends on how you treat the treated clothes.
It can be used for the dog: It worked, but I prefer something less bothering from the vet.
Prevents bed bugs in a god-knows-what motel/hotel/cabin: I read the tips by chance and by chance I once went to a rented cabin that had bed bugs which I couldn’t complain to the host. Sawyer 0.5% Permethrin saved me.
Here are what you can’t do using permethrin:
- Wash treated clothes with non-treated clothes since some may come off and go to your underwear. Remember, permethrin is for outer clothes only.
- Exposed your cats with wet permethrin. Permethrin is toxic to cats.
What is the best mosquito repellent for camping?
- Repel HG-94108 100 Insect Repellent
- Sawyer Products SP5622 20% Picaridin
- REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus
- Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS IR3535
- Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin
Well, only by a few sprays of the best bug repellent for camping, backpacking, hiking, or campsite, you can easily guard yourself against them while enjoying your time outdoors.
But what’s the best camping mosquito repellent, when you’re nearly lost in the jungle of products presented on the pharmacy aisle?
You may be wondering whether they are safe, which you can use for your kids, and which is the most effective.
No worries, as today I will give you my reviews on some of the top-rated mosquito repellent for camping and backpacking being sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask yourself these questions below to reduce the trying number or have the right decision the first time:
1. How healthy is your skin?
Don’t choose mosquito repellents with high chemical concentrations if your skin is sensitive – may cause unwanted side effects.
For example, DEET 30 and Picaridin or plant-based Repel Lemon Eucalyptus may be more compatible with your skin than DEET 100.
Among the products I reviewed, Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard is the best bug repellent for your skin.
2. Where are you going?
Do some research and make sure that you’re using the right repellents. Since this is a “mosquito” topic, all the products I reviewed are effective against mosquitos.
But, for more information, Repel DEET 100 works for most insects, Sawyer Picaridin 20% wards off the mosquitos and the flies best, mosquitos hate to Repel Lemon Eucalyptus.
3. How long does your trip last?
Remember, protection time matters. Reapplying after a short time is annoying.
Repel DEET 100 and Sawyer Picaridin are the ones for you if you hate that, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus is so so, and Avon IR3535’s effect duration is just up to 3 hours
4. Who do you use insect repellent for? Kids? Pets?
No DEET 100 for kids, Cat hates Permethrin
5. Do you use it on your skin or clothes?
Sawyer Permethrin is the one you need
Conclusion
Truthfully, after reviewing those best bug repellents for hiking, camping, backpacking, and campsite. I feel like I’m a repellent nerd.
Well, may it be I’ve been using them a lot while camping and backpacking, and like women like to try and wear new clothes, I do, too? The difference is, that I like to try new insect repellents.
Anyway, up till now, those five above are my best mosquito repellent for camping and backpacking.
Don’t let your excitement of camping and backpacking be ruined by constant buzzes and bites! Hear me out.
